Linda went to the local emergency room on four occasions with chest pain and other symptoms. Because she was female and in her 30’s, she was told it was muscular pain and sent home with painkillers. During the last visit, an EKG was misread as normal. In fact, it showed subtle changes that indicated a heart condition. The next day she suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated by emergency medics. Unfortunately, during the arrest she suffered brain damage and ended up in a persistent vegetative state that requires constant, 24-hour-a-day care in a long-term care facility.
We were retained by her family, which included a 10-year-old son, and filed suit against the ER physicians and hospital. After extensive litigation, in which we presented testimony by ER experts, cardiologists, a child psychologist, a life-care planner, and an economist, the case settled before trial. The settlement allowed for Linda’s care for her lifetime and resulted in the purchase of a home where the son could live with his grandmother. The son’s needs are being met during his childhood, and he will receive funds for post-high-school education and other needs he may have in the future.